Ambulatory healthcare facilities — such as clinics, surgery centers, medical offices, and dental offices — must make concerted efforts to prevent and control the spread of infectious diseases and outbreaks. As more patient care services have shifted from inpatient to outpatient settings, the importance of infection prevention and control (IPC) has become more pronounced.
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Marcy A. Metzgar
Many healthcare providers find that text messaging provides quick access to the information they need to make decisions and is convenient for communicating with other providers and patients. Yet, texting presents privacy and security concerns.
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Laura M. Cascella, MA, CPHRM
Medication treatment is a complex process because of the number of steps and individuals involved, the volume of medication orders in hospitals, and the increasing number of prescription drugs on the market. As a result, errors are common throughout the medication process.
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Laura M. Cascella, MA, CPHRM
Recent years have seen an explosion in patient demand for, and prescribing of, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist drugs. These medications — which are branded under the names Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Zepbound®, and Mounjaro® — are in growing demand as a result of their efficacy, increased advertising, and social media prominence (including endorsements from celebrities and influencers).1
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Managing patients who have difficult behaviors or who are nonadherent with their care plans is a persistent issue that healthcare providers face. If a patient who has these issues is already under your care, various risk management strategies can help you manage the situation. However, difficult patient behavior and nonadherence still can be frustrating, stressful, and time-consuming.
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Laura M. Cascella, MA, CPHRM
In healthcare, the term “culture of safety” or “safety culture” is familiar. It refers to organizational values, attitudes, and goals related to providing a safe environment and safe patient care. Although perhaps not as common, the term “security culture” is conceptually very similar to safety culture. An organization’s security culture focuses on beliefs, values, and behaviors related to protecting health information, other sensitive data, and patient and employee privacy.
Read more Laura M. Cascella, MA, CPHRM
Direct-to-consumer marketing of robot-assisted surgery (RAS) has generated patient interest in this technology. Patients may find statements about quicker recovery periods, less pain, smaller scars, and lower infection rates enticing. However, marketing and advertising efforts might paint an incomplete picture of the benefits and risks of RAS. Thus, informed consent plays an essential role in treatment discussions with patients who are considering robotic procedures.
Read more Laura M. Cascella, MA, CPHRM
Mental health is a persistent and growing public health concern, and the number of Americans who commit suicide has steadily increased over the last two decades.1 In 2022, an estimated 13.2 million adults had serious thoughts of suicide, 3.8 million adults made a suicide plan, and 1.6 million adults attempted suicide.2 These statistics speak to the serious nature of the mental health crisis and the need for better interventions for people who have suicidal ideation.
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